Bolthole Index county-legal census · checked 2026-07-01
1 of Massachusetts's 14 counties — 7% — have no county-wide zoning. That is the 37th-largest count of any state. The strongest of them on the Bolthole Index is Bristol County (41/100). Every entry below cites the county’s own official source.
Rules change, and cities inside these counties set their own — treat this as a verified starting point, not legal advice. All 959 counties nationwide → Full Massachusetts profile →
1 of 14 Massachusetts counties · sorted by Index score
There is no county-level zoning; zoning is a municipal function, so each Bristol County city and town (e.g., Fall River, New Bedford) adopts and enforces its own zoning ordinance.
City of Fall River - Inspectional Services (enforces local zoning) ↗One email a week: the best counties to live off-grid, rule changes that matter, and rule changes as Massachusetts counties adopt or drop codes. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Every county here has a full profile — water, land prices, hazard safety, seclusion, and the rest of its building rules. See the Massachusetts state page for all 14 counties ranked, or go back to the national list.
General guidance, not legal advice. Off-grid, building, and land-use rules are often set at the county level and change often. Verify with your county and state before acting. Data reviewed 2026-06-26.